Jean Ann Marie Fingalson was born the daughter of Glenn C. and Dorothea G. Fingalson on Dec. 17, 1935, in Detroit Lakes.

Jean attended Detroit Lakes High School and graduated in 1954. During her high school years she was active in 4-H, Luther League, Sunday school, and also taught Vacation Bible School at Richwood Lutheran Church. She attended Concordia College, Moorhead, and then graduated from Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis, in May 1957, where she received a Parish Worker Certificate. On April 27, 1986, she was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry (Lay Professional) within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and was on the roster of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod at the time of her death.

After 42 years of serving in various congregations and other church related agencies, she retired in 2000. She returned to Moorhead in 2001. Jean has served on the staff of the following congregations: Our Savior's Lutheran, Moorhead; St. James Lutheran, Burnsville; St. Marks' Lutheran, Fargo; and Mount Olivet Lutheran, Minneapolis. She also worked at the Red Valley Synod (formerly LCA) in Moorhead, and the Southwestern Minnesota Synod office in Redwood Falls, Minn., as well as on the staff of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, for 12 and a half years, and prior to her retirement she spent nine and a half year at Lutheran Social Services in various capacities.

Over these many years, Jean was always active in the life of the congregations that she served. She was also involved in the St. Paul Synod, serving on the synod's Call Committee and as chairman of the Leadership and Support Committee. During her years in Minneapolis she was active in the Sweet Adeline chapter in Roseville. She always had a love for music and enjoyed going to many concerts and programs involving her nieces. She also enjoyed baking for others, theater, and entertaining. Recently, she was a volunteer at the Heritage Hjemkomst Center, Clay County Museum Center, and her home church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Moorhead.

Surviving Jean are two brothers, Lyle (Marie) Fingalson of Ada and Carl Dean (Janice) Fingalson of Detroit Lakes; six nieces; one aunt, Jeanette Fingalson of Detroit Lakes; two cousins; eight great nieces and six great nephews. She dearly loved her family and was very proud of their many accomplishments and achievements during these many years.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents and one uncle, Fred Fingalson.

Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.